Handbag



L KRUPP Aug. 24, 1943.

HANDBAG Filed Oct. 31, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lows KRuPP. I

b s Armani-K Aug. 24, 1943.

HANDBAG Filed Oct. 31, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 R: Z 0015 KRUPP.

6/: ATTORNEX L. KRUPP 2,327,532

Aug. 24, 1943. L. KRUPP 2,327,532

HANDBAG Filed Oct. 51, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 90a 100 95 93 94 90 f T T I hum/r0 Lows/(Q01 9,

Patented Aug. 24, 1943 HANDBAG Louis Krupp, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Bernard Chavin and Louis Krupp, co-partners, doing business as Chavin & Krupp, New York, N. Y.

Application October 31, 1940, Serial No. 363,612

8 Claims.

This invention relates to ladies handbags and similar articles, and has for its main object to provide a device for the closing of such handbags, which device will have a tendency to normally keep the handbag closed and not permit it to open, except after a certain opening operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device as characterized hereinbefore, in which the normal closing tendency will be caused by the pull exerted by the weight of the handbag itself on the chain, handle, or other device by which the same is carried, the mere suspension of the handbag on such a carrying device being the cause and source of such normal closing tendency, and my invention will also have the characteristic that the heavier is the handbag and the more it is permitted to freely hang on said carrying device, cord or chain, the stronger will be the tendency for securely closing the same.

Still a further object of my invention is to provide a closure device for handbags and the like, wherein a normal closure tendency will be aided by magnetic action, and wherein portions of the closing mechanism will be magnetized and will have such an attraction to one another, as to normally move them towards each other to produce a closing and securing effect on the hand- My invention particularly relates to handbags with pivoted frames, and a further object thereof is to provide inter-acting means at the pivot of the frame, whereby the opening or closing of one frame member will cause a similar corresponding movement in the other frame member.

Still further objects of this invention will be apparent as the specification of the same proceeds.

In the drawings forming a part of this specimechanism for closed handbags, the same being shown on an enlarged scale, and

Fig. 6 is a similarly executed elevational view thereof;

Figs. 7 and 8 are elevational views of a handbag showing a modified form of my automatic fastening device in closed and in open positions, respectively;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken on theline 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Figs. 10 and 11 are diagrammatic end views of a frame of a handbag in which the resilient acting fastening buttons or knobs are magnetic.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary detail showing a modified form of the self-locking device of Figs. 1 to 6;

Figs. 13 and 14 show in a diagrammatic manner a novel magnetic fastening means for handbags;

Figs. 15 and 16 are fragmentary elevational and plan views, respectively, of another embodiment of my fastening means for handbags, acting under the weight of the bag, while Figs. 1'7 and 18 are two similar views of still another modification.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail by characters of reference, the numeral 20 indicates a handbag in general, having the two frame members 2| and 22 pivoted to one another, as at 23. An appropriately placed projection 24 is arranged on the frame member 2| and another projection 25 is arranged on the frame member 22.

A peculiarly shaped lever 26 is pivoted on the projection 25, as at 21, the front portion 28 of said lever being formed into a U shaped device adapted to close on the projection 24 on the other frame member 2|. The rear or right hand portion 29 of the lever 26 has the usual carrying cord, chain or handle device 30 of the handbag secured thereto.

The use and operation of my self-closing fastening device may be practically evident from the drawings and the herein description, but I want to offer the following further explanation:

When it is desired to close the handbag, the two frame members 2| and 22 will be closed upon one another turning on pivot 23, as usual, the forward end 28 of the lever 26 being somewhat raised and after the frame members are closed upon one another, said forward end 28 will be closed upon the projection 24 and on the frame member 2|,

Now, if the bag is carried by the handle device 30, the same will exert a pull on the right hand portion 29 of the lever 26, as indicated by the arrow 3|, and will cause the forward end 28 to tightly and securely close upon the projection 24, thereby locking the two frame halves 2| and 22 to one another.

When it is desired to open the handbag, the operation will be reversed, the pull of the handle device 30 will be released, and the forward end 28 of the lever 26 lifted off the projection 24.

It is a well known fact that ladies handbags with the simple, resilient acting closures now employed thereon, get loose very soon after some wearing, and may easily open up, thereby causing loss of their contents and other troubles and annoyance. This tendency is present even when a handbag is new, since it may easily open up when such an action is least desired.

It will be seen that through my invention, I provide means whereby a handbag will be automatically locked and securely kept in such a position, while it is being carried, and the mere act of carrying it will produce such an action in an automatic manner.

To further aid the tendency of my handbag to be normally closed, I may make the projection 24 and the U shaped closing end 28 of the lever 26 magnetic, so that they have anattraction to one another, keeping them in a closed position. It will be understood that a comparatively small force will be sufficient to pry them open against such magnetic action.

It is also well known that the opening of handbags with such pivoted frame members sometimes is rather cumbersome, since both halves of the frame members must be securely held and moved outwardly. To aid in the opening and closing of handbags with such pivoted frame members, I also. provide a gear action pivot for the frame members, which is generally indicated by the numeral 23.

As will be seen from the drawings, the frame member 2| may have at its lower ends gears 32, either formed or stamped from its own material, or secured thereon, and the frame member 22 will have two similar gears 33 at its two free ends, gears 32 and 33, at each side of the handbag, meshing with one another, as will b understood, and as indicated in the drawings.

A member 34 may be employed to carry the two gears and to further secure the lower ends of the respective frames to one another. I

It will be seen that upon opening or closing one of the frame members, the other frame member must and will execute a similar motion, on ac- 38 will move upwardly, as indicated by the arrow 44, and the inner end of the, lever 39 also moves in a similar direction, while the outer ends of both levers will move downwardly in the direction, of arrows 45. The two frame members 36 and 31 having previously been closed upon one another, such a movement of the two lever will cause the U shaped extensions 38a and 39a to close upon both frame members 38 and 31, as indicated in Figs. '1 and 9, and thereby firmly fasten or look the two frame members to one another.

In this embodiment, again, the weight of the handbag on the carrying chain 42 will aid the locking tendency of the device.

To open the handbag, the outer end of one of the levers will be lifted in an upward direction, as indicated by the arrow 48, whereupon the other lever will similarly move and the frame member 31 will be released from the frame member 35 and the handbag may be opened.

When it is desired to close the handbag, the two frame members will be closed upon one another, and the outer end of one of the levers will be moveddownwardly in the direction of arrow 45 until its U shaped extension will embrace the frame member 31, such an action causing the other lever to execute the same motion, whereupon the handbag may be carried on the chain or handle device 42, such carrying automatically aiding and securing the closing of the U shaped extensions over the frame members, as will be understood.

In Figs. 10 and 11, I indicate a usual pivot frame for a handbag, being composed of two halves, 5D and 5|, pivoted as at 52. At about the center of the upper side of the frame member is arranged a resilient action fastening or looking button or knob 53, and a similar oppositely placed knob 54 is secured on the upper side of the frame member 5|, the two knobs 53 and 54 resiliently engaging one another upon the closing of the frame members 50 and 5|, as will be count of the action of one gear on the other, so I that the operation of one frame member alone will secure an easy opening or closing of the two frame members on one another and of the handbag itself.

In Figs. '1 to 9, I indicate a modified form of my automatic closing means for handbags.

In this modification the handbag is generally indicated by the numeral 35 and its two frame members by the numerals 38 and 31, respectively.

In the embodiment shown, two inter-acting pivoted levers 38 and 39 are secured on the frame member 36, the lever 38 having a pin which may operate in a slot 40 in the lever 39. The free end of the lever 38 has a U shaped extension 38a,

and similarly, the free end of the lever 39 has a U shaped extension 39a. Lever 38 also has a hook or ring device 4| to which is secured the usual carrying chain, cord or handle 42 for the handbag.

It will be seen that when a pull is exerted on the chain 42 in the direction of arrow 43, as when the bag. is carried, the inner end of lever understood.

According to my invention the knobs 53 and 54 will :be made of magnetic character, so that they will have a normal tendency to attract each other in the direction indicated by the arrows 55.

As has been mentioned, such knobs very soon after some use became loose and their resilient action is veryirreliable or entirely eliminated, causing such handbags to open easily and to be loosely closed, if at all.

Such magnetic action between the knobs 53 and 54 will always insure that they will be closed upon one another.

In Figs. 13 and 14 I show a modified form of the magnetic locking means for a handbag. In said figures, the numeral 60 indicates a handbag in general having a closure flap 6|. A disc or other appropriate element 62 is secured on the front of the bag, and a similar disc or like element 63 is secured on the flap 81, the elements 62 and 63 meeting when the flap 6| is closed on the bag 60,

One or both of the elements 62 and 63 maybe made magnetic, so that they will strongly attract each other and will adhere to one another through magnetic action. In case only one of the elements is made magnetic, the other element must be made of such a metal as to be attracted by the magnet.

The operation of this novel magnetic sealing means will be obvious from this description and from the drawings, and is as follows:

The flap 6| is closed on the bag 60 and in such ly overlapping each other and being adapted to be returned into an unlocking position, passing each .other by a resilient yielding action, if opposite pressures are exerted on them by the thumb to the owner. The bag will have atendency to always remain closed, or to close by itself, as soon as the two elements 62 and I are brought sufficiently close to one another.

At the present time, such types of handbags usually lock in a snap fastener style, and such snap fasteners very soon become loose and will not lock sufliciently, while very often it is quite awkward and tiresome to cause the button of the snap fastener to find and. snap into its socket. All this is done away with bymy magnetic fastening means shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

In Fig. 12 I show a further modification of the single lever action handbag locking means of Figs. 1 to 6. w The purpose of this modification is to provide the suspension of the handbag in the vertical line of its center of gravity and of its securing to the suspension cord, chain or handle. For this purpose, the right hand end 29 of the lever 26 is bent doubled inwardly towards the center, as at 29a, and the suspending cord, chain or handle 30' is secured at the end of said backwardly doubled portion, as indicated at 2%. The securing 29b of the carryingmeans 30 will be placed in the vertical line passing through the pivot 21 when the handbag is carried, and in this manner, the handbag will not have a tendency to tilt either way, but it will hang evenly balanced, since the line of suspension will go throught the pivot 21, which may be arranged exactly in the center line of the handbag and normally in the vertical line passing through its center of gravity. j

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that changes and variations may be resorted to' in the construction and nature of its parts. and their combinations, and I want to reserve my rights to such changes and variations which are within the spirit of this specification and the claims hereunto appended. v

One of such changes may consist in forming the inter-acting pivot of Figs. 1 to 4, composed of the meshing gears 32 and 33, in any other appropriate manner, like link mechanism, levers, etc., interposed between the two frames of the handbag, whereby the opening of the one will cause an opening movement in the other, and, vice versa, a closing movement of one will cause the other one also to move in a closing direction.

Two further such changes-or modifications are indicated in Figs. 15 to 18.

In Figs. 15 and 16, a further embodiment of my basic idea to cause the fastening means to retain their locking position under the weight of the bag is shown. In this embodiment, the numerals l and II indicate the two pivoted frames of a handbag, generally indicated by the numeral 12.

A projection' 13 is arranged on the top of frame member I0 and a double arm lever 14 is pivoted on the projection 13. A similar projection I5 is provided on the frame member H and a locking lever I6 is pivoted on the projection 15. The inner branches 14a. and 16a of the levers i4 and 15 are shaped as indicated and their meeting terminations 14b and 16b may be formed as usual with the stationary fastening means now in use and finger of the user, as indicated by the arrows He and 160 in Fig. 16.

In this manner, the handbag may be opened as 'any .otherhandbag equipped withsimilar yielding closure means.

When it is desired to close'the handbag, the frame members 10 and II will be brought together and the ball terminations 14b and 16b forced passing one another into a locking position indicated in the figures.

The carrying cord, chain, or handle 11 is secured to the respective outer ends of the levers l4 and 15, as indicated at 18 and I9, and it will be obvious that upon suspending the handbag on the carrier member I1, the weight of the same will have a tendency to pull the outer ends of the levers 14 and [6 in the directions of the arrows 18a. and 19a, thereby causing the locking members 14b and 16b to better overlap and lock each other, preventing an accidental opening of for handbags, like in the form of two balls slightr the handbag and automatically keeping the same in a locked position. I

Projections and BI may be provided downwardly from the inner branches 14a. and Ilia of said locking levers, each of said projections having a receiving recess or pocket 82 in the respective frame member, so that said levers are guided in their movements to prevent wobbling, at the same time a limit is set to their inward looking movement under the action of the weight of the handbag so that the locking terminations Mb I ar-l 16b may not be moved unduly in an inward direction passing'each other to an undesired extent. When it is desired to open the handbag, the locking members 14b and 16b may be pressed into an open position, as indicated by the arrows 14c and 160 and as has been explained hereinbefore', or pressure may be exerted at the outer ends 18 and- 19 of the respective locking levers, thereby moving the inner ends upwardly and outwardly, as indicated by the arrows 16d and 14d, and opening the handbag in this manner. I

It also will be obvious that the handbag will be suspended on the carrier 1'! in an entirely balanced even position, since the points of attack 18 and 19 for such suspension are placed symmetrically at the two sides of 'the vertical center axis of the handbag, which normally will contain its center of gravity.

In Figs. 17 and 18 still another modification of my self-locking means for handbags is shown,

which in principle is somewhat similar to the Two projections 93 and 94 are provided on the center frame member 92, and levers 95 and 96 are pivoted thereon. The carrier member 91 is secured to the inner ends 98 and 99 of the respective levers so that the weight of the handbag when suspended on the carrier means 91 will act on said inner ends in the direction of arrows 98a and 99a, thereby forcing the outer ends 95b and 96b in a downward direction, as indicated by the arrows 95c and 960. In such a movement, said ends will pass two respective relatively stationary locking elements or buttons I and II on the frame members 90 and 9|, thereby preventing an accidental opening of the handbag.

When it is desired to open the handbag, the inner ends 98 and 99 of the levers 95 and 86 will bepressed downwardly as indicated by the arrows 9% and 99b, thereby causing the locking members 9511- and I00, and 96b and NH to release one another, as will be obvious.

A single opening of one part of the handbag through the frame member 90 or 9| only may be also executed by a similar motion ofone lever or by executing the usual opening pressure on the button shaped members 95b and I00 and 96b and H, as it is known and as has been shown and explained in connection with Fig. 16 and by the arrows 14c and 160 shown therein.

What I claim as new, is:

1. In a fastener for securing two adjacently placed elements to one another, a lever pivoted intermediate of its ends on one, the first element one, the locking, end of said lever being bent laterally over the other, the second element and being shaped to engage said second projection thereon when the lever is rocked on its pivot in a direction with said locking endnearing said oppositely from said first lever; said second frame second lever, and an inter-connection between the second element, and a suspending and carrying means secured on the second not locking end of said lever, whereby the weight of said element on said suspending means will cause said lever to rock on its pivot, and will cause its locking end to engage said second element and releasably lock said two elements to one another, a second pivoted lever on said first .element similar in construction and arrangement to said first pivoted lever but pointing oppositely from said first lever, said second element being adapted to be engaged by locking end of said second lever, and an inter-connection between the not locking ends of said two levers, whereby the locking movement of said first lever under said weight will cause said second lever to similarly move into a locking position and, vice versa, an opening of said first lever will cause said second lever also to execute an opening movement.

2. In a fastener as set forth in claim 1, said inter-connection between said inner or not locking ends of said levers being in the form of a slot provided in one of said levers, and a pin secured on the other lever slidable in said slot.

3. In a handbag having two pivoted frame members, each with an upper branch, said upper branches being closely set to one another when said handbag is to be closed and separated from one another when said handbag is to be opened, a lever pivoted intermediate of its ends on one, the first branch, 9. looking or inner end of said lever being bent laterally over the other the second branch and being shaped to engage the same, when the lever isrocked on its pivot in a direction so that said locking end will near said second branch, and a suspending and carrying means secured on the other not looking or outer end of said lever, whereby the weight of the handbag on said suspension means will cause said lever to rock on its pivot, so that its locking or inner end will engage said second branch and releasablylock said two frames to one another, a second pivoted lever on said first branch similarly constructed and arranged to said first pivoted lever, said second lever, however, pointing 7 not locking ends of said two levers, whereby the locking movement of said first lever under said weight will cause said second lever to similarly move into a locking position, and vice versa, an opening movement of said first lever will .cause an opening movement in said second lever.

4. In a handbag having two pivoted frame members, each with an upper branch, said upper branches being closely set to one another when said handbag is to be closed and separated from one another when said handbag is to be opened, a lever pivoted intermediate of its ends on one, the first branch, a looking or inner end of said lever being bent laterally over the other the second branch and being shaped to engage the same, when the lever is rocked on its pivot in a direction so that said locking end will near said second branch, and a suspending and carrying means secured on the other not locking or outer end of said lever, whereby the weight of the handbag on said suspension means will cause said lever to rock on its pivot, so that its locking or inner end will engage said second branch-and releasably lock said two frames to one another, a second pivoted lever on said first branch similarly constructed and arranged to said first pivoted lever, said second lever, however, pointing oppositely from said first lever; said second frame member being adapted to be engaged by said second lever, and an inter-connection between the not locking ends of said two levers, whereby the locking movement of said first lever under said weight will cause said second lever to similarly move into a locking position, and vice versa, an opening movement of said first lever will cause an opening movement in said second lever, said inter-connection between said inner or not locking ends of said levers being in the form of a slot provided in one of said levers, and a pin secured on the other lever slidable in said slot.

5. In a handbag having two pivoted frame members, each with an upper branch, said upper branches being closely set to one another when said handbag is to be closed and separated from one another when said handbag is to' beopened, a lever pivoted intermediate of its ends on one, the first branch a locking or inner end of said lever being bent laterally over the other the second branch and being shaped to engage the same, when the lever is rocked on its pivot in a direction, so that said locking end will near-said second branch and a suspending and carrying means secured onthe other not locking or outer I end of said lever, whereby the weight of the handbag on said suspension means will cause said lever to rock on its pivot, so that its locking or-inner end will engage said second branch' and releasably lock said two frames to one another, a second pivoted lever on said first branch similarly constructed and arranged to said first pivoted lever,

a locking position, and vice versa, an opening movement of said first lever will cause an opening movement in said second lever, said suspending means being secured to said first lever in the vertical central plane of the handbag containing its center of gravity, whereby the handbag will be locked by its own weight and will be suspended in a normal even position. 7

6. In a handbag having two pivoted frame members, said frames being closely set to one another when said handbag is to be closed and separated from one another when said handbag is to be opened, a lever pivoted on the first one of said frame. members, one, the locking end of said lever being adapted to engage a portion of the second frame member when it is desired to lock said two frame members to one another; a second lever pivoted on said first frame member being similarly constructed and arranged to said first lever but placed oppositely thereto, a suspending and carrying means for said handbag securedto the'second not locking end of one of said levers, whereby the weight of said handbag will cause said selected lever to move into a closing position, and an interwhen the same is in a normal even position, for the purpose described.

8. In a releasable handbag locking device, as set forth in claim 6, said inter connection between' the two levers being a slot in one lever and a pin on the other, adapted to slidably engage in said slot. 1

LOUIS KRUPP. 

